30 April 2007

Outdoor Degree

Our district is doing its 2nd annual Outdoor degree in July. Ive volunteered to be on the planning team since our lodge is hosting this year. Im really interested in what items we need to have present in the 'lodge room' (other than the obvious of course) and any and all hints, tips, lessons learned and best practices they would like to share!

Along the same lines, something Ive been interested in is the design of alters used in lodges (both in and outdoor). Ive seen a lot of designs, shapes, ornaments etc. Is there any 'requirements' that I might not know of or just personal preference of the lodge and builders?


The lessons come from the journey... So Mote It Be!

28 April 2007

What A Weekend!!!

What a wonderful Masonic Weekend!

Friday night our Lodge had a Double EA Degree. This is the 5th and 6th EA entered in our lodge in the last 30 days, and the 12th and 13th in the area that I know of (and Im sure there are more I missed)! Not only did we have a Double EA, but I got the honor of helping out in the degree by doing the part of the Master of Ceremony! In our GL, and maybe others, the MC is one that prepares the candidate prior to the degree, does the pre-degree reading, and is the friend that leads them to the door of the lodge. As Im still working on my EA proficiency, I was honored to be part of the ceremony, and I wasnt prompted or corrected so Im sure I didnt materialy err. We had a very large turn out for this degree and there were over 10 EAs in attendance!

Another highlight for me was seeing one of my fellow EAs turn in his proficiency! He did a wonderful job and the speed at which we did the long (88 Q&A) proficiency was amazing! I hope someday to do my half as good as he did his!

Saturday morning I had the great honor of going to the Texas Grand Masters Conference in Fort Worth. WOW! It was an amazing experience. Our Grand Masters major theme this year is the EA and FC. The Grand Lodge put on an outstanding skit called Runaway Lodge which was a staristical look at how things happen in lodges and how bad they really look from the eyes of a newly entered candidate. One thing our GM is pushing this year, and I of course strongly support, is to have all lodges opened at the EA level and if needed closed and reopened at the MM level with 2 exceptions: when District/GL officers are making their official visits and on the rare occasion when a quarum can not be made so it can be opened on the MM level. One thing I noticed is that when he brought up the idea, there was a loud round of applause from a very large portion of the audience (almost 300)! There was a small group of older Masons that didnt appear to be very happy about it and sat on their hands.

There was also a great paper presented on the State of Masonry in the State (my title not theirs). It was basicly showing the difference between 1965 Masonry and Masonry today. The amount of Masons that go from EA to MM is not near what it should be. In 1965 it was around 97% average in Texas. In 2006, there was a 36% loss rate!!! In some districts it was as high as 50% loss! Recent surveys and polls had a surprising (to many) results. They contacted many of the 'dropouts' to find out why. Many it was because they didnt feel they were getting what they expected out of Masonry. It wasnt the large memory work etc, it was being ignored, lodges not keeping in contact with them, not showing them the brotherly love and fellowship that is advertised!!!

Our lodges Worshipful Master has taken the charge of the GM to heart and has been opening our stated meetings on the EA! We are being not only asked to participate but strongly encouraged! Maybe this is why our lodge/district is growing while others are lossing members. What a great time to be involved in Masonry!



The lessons come from the journey... So Mote It Be!

26 April 2007

NASCAR

With all the blogs and messages and web sites talking about the Scottish Rite and NASCAR, when I saw this story today I couldnt help but be thankful that partnership has gone away! Can you just imagine all the conspiracy crap that would be going around today? Freemasons are not only trying to rule the world, we are now trying to rule NASCAR!!! There would be a collective cry for our heads! Here is the story!

Image: Stewart

Tony's tirade could change NASCAR

Insinuations that outcomes are predetermined could dog circuit

By Bob Cook
It’s a shame Tony Stewart besmirched a sport’s good name when he compared NASCAR to professional wrestling. Pro wrestling doesn’t deserve such a cheap shot.

The temperamental two-time NASCAR champion didn’t use the word "fix" specifically in his rant during his Tuesday night show on the Sirius Satellite Network. But Stewart’s statement that NASCAR "can almost dictate the race instead of the drivers doing it" dredges up a lot of memories of too-good-to-be-true finishes.

Think about way-past-his-prime Richard Petty winning his 200th NASCAR race at Daytona in 1984 in front of President Reagan on Independence Day weekend. Indiana native Jeff Gordon winning the inaugural race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1994. Dale Earnhardt Sr. winning his first Daytona 500 late in his career in 1998, on the opening day of NASCAR’s 50th anniversary season. Dale Earnhardt Jr. winning the Pepsi 400 in 2001, the first race after his father died that same Daytona track. For that matter, Juan Pablo Montoya, the only Latin American driver in the race, winning this year’s Busch Series event in Mexico City.

hese aren’t suspicious finishes brought up by some hack sports columnist. These are finishes commonly cited by beat writers and fans when talk turns to NASCAR’s extraordinarily good fortune in getting the result it needs, when it needs it.

And cited by those inside racing as well. A 1994 AutoWeek story quoted, anonymously, drivers and crew chiefs claiming NASCAR allowed Gordon to run a lighter car at that year’s Brickyard 400. The same story also reported sources saying Petty was allowed a larger carburetor restrictor at his 200th victory. Meanwhile, in 1994 the Greensboro (N.C.) News & Record said 14 out of 30 "top members of the NASCAR family" said they believed the circuit singled out certain drivers for special treatment, though only two said their teams were the beneficiaries.

n 1998, racing writers Mike Mulhern and Robin Miller quoted more anonymous sources talking about a phenomenon known as "making the call" — when NASCAR officials let everybody know who is going to win today’s race.

In 2001, Earnhardt Jr.’s charge to the top of field was so suspicious — yes, he’s good at restrictor-plate tracks, but nobody could pass that day — that many writers and fans openly accused NASCAR of "making the call" so he could win.

Stewart’s charges against NASCAR relate to something more mundane: the circuit’s oddball use of the caution flag. Depending on the race — and, say, whether the field is too spread out or a few drivers appearing to be dominating — yellow flags for "debris" can come flying out when there is nary even a hot dog wrapper visible to the naked eye. Stewart lost one race in Atlanta when he led with 25 laps to go and the field pitted.

On the other hand, use of the caution flag can be not-so-cautious. During Montoya’s Busch victory in Mexico City, the flag sat still during early-race spins that one would think would force a caution. Yet later in the race, when Montoya was closer to the top, the debris cautions came out, allowing him to close some space.

Stewart said on his radio show that fans are complaining about the strange cautions — and he’s right. With Stewart, 35, nearer to the end of an accomplished career, and his general status as an ornery cuss, he has less to lose than most anybody by spouting off about what he sees as troubles in NASCAR.

"I guess NASCAR thinks, ‘Hey, wrestling worked, and it was for the most part staged, so I guess it’s going to work in racing, too,’" Stewart said. "I don’t know that they’ve run a fair race all year."

NASCAR called Stewart's comments "very disappointing," and in the past it has denied any accusations of messing with races. But what do you expect it to say?

NASCAR is in the untenable position of proving a negative, and a pretty pernicious one at that. While there is frequent circumstantial evidence that not all is as it seems, no one has found a documented smoking gun — if there even is one —that would unequivocally tie NASCAR to manipulating results. Just like how no one has unequivocally tied NBA commissioner David Stern to an alleged "bent envelope" scheme of 1985 that allowed New York to win the draft lottery, thus ensuring Patrick Ewing would play in the NBA’s largest market.

But as Stern could tell you too many coincidences working in your favor can hit your league’s image. Would this have an effect on NASCAR’s declining TV earnings and attendance at some tracks?

As Stern also could tell NASCAR, it’s difficult to wriggle out of this position. Perhaps one thing NASCAR could do is be more transparent to fans in its operations, starting with opening its rule book to the public. Assuming the rule book is more than whatever NASCAR feels like that week.

Maybe with that first step, with that honesty, NASCAR can put itself in a position where a Tony Stewart can truly, positively compare it to professional wrestling.

Bob Cook is a contributor to MSNBC.com and a freelance writer based in Chicago.



The lessons come from the journey... So Mote It Be!

17 April 2007

April Showers...

Bro. Chris Hodapp, in his Blog Freemasons for Dummies, touched on something that is very close to me. We have have all heard April showers will bring May flowers. I just didnt realize it was showers of tears.

Twenty six years ago today, my beautiful bride and I got married in Hawaii. Three dauthers, two granddaughters and one grandson and 26 years later, and I think I love her more today than I did back then. April was a month I used to look forward to, it was spring, a month of celebration for us. Then in 1995 we decided to postpone our anniversary celebration until the weekend, its just a couple of days away. We were stationed in Oklahoma then, at Tinker AFB just outside Oklahoma City. It was two days past our anniversary, getting closer to the weekend. I followed my usual routine and her hers. I kissed her goodbye and went to work at 0630. After getting my morning reports done my buddy and I decided to go out for a smoke. The morning was beautiful, its gonna be a nice day we commented as we walked outside.

While we were BSing and enjoying a smoke we heard what we thought was another fighter jock going a little too fast causing a sonic boom. It happens now and then... It was 0902 19 April 1995. By the time we got back to our desks a minute or two later we were hearing the news... the Murrah Bldg had exploded. First reports were it was a gas leak that built up and went off, we found out later of course that wasnt the case. About 12 of us asked and got permission to go down to try to help with recover, crowd control what ever we could. Several of us had been in law enforcement, some in emergency operations at least one fireman.

We made out way down there and got put to work immediatly. Some doing crowd control, some doing security. Two friends of mine and I got asked to take medical supplies from Fire Station #1 to the Triage Center that was set up across the street from the building.

I wont go into details, Im sure youve heard it all or can imagine. The teams I worked with for the next 5 days, 16 hours a day will never be able to forget. We all pretty much stay in touch still, sometimes the only people you can talk with are ones that you share a bond with.

If you get the chance, find and read the book The Third Terrorist: The Middle East Connection to the Oklahoma City Bombing by Jayna Davis ISBN-13: 978-1595550149. Every anniversary myself and my team members write our congresscritters and the White House demanding an investigation and explaination and every year none of us get a single reply. Not even the usual BS form letter they send out blowing smoke up your arse about how they care and will look into somthing.


On April 19, 1995 our innocence as a nation was blown apart by 2 home grown terrorists. While 168 people lost their lives that day, many had their souls changed forever. After 9-11, the OKC bombing has been pushed to the back of many Americans memories just as some seem to have forgoten 9-11 already. Please, do not forget the victims!


The lessons come from the journey... So Mote It Be!


13 April 2007

Musings of the Mind

While Im learning to subdue my passions, Im also learning that I dont seem to be able to remember things like I did when I was younger! Granted, 45 isnt real old. Sadly during my youth I, well lets just say Im paying for unsubdued passions. It amazes me how much trouble I have at times remembering the words that I just learned a week before! Not only that but the words from just a few minutes before seem to slip away in nothingness! But Im struggling through with the patient assistance of my mentor and friend. After a few weeks Im "at the alter" and about to be starting Part 2 next week.

I often hear the nay sayers saying that Freemasonry is on its death bed. Maybe it is in some areas. I only know what I see first hand here in NE Texas. Our lodge is getting a LOT of petitions! There 4 EAs last month, we have a double scheduled next week, and another double after that or early next month. There were also 5 new petitions delivered at the stated meeting last week. I know of at least 2 other lodges near by that have had 5+ EA degrees in the last month or 2 and more planned this month. Im excited! Its great going by the lodge on a whim and finding people there doing degree work or practice!

One of our new community projects is a simple one, but one that is saving tax payer dollars and paying off in ways I can only guess at. We have a very old and historic cemetery in town, owned by the city with a state historical marker. This cemetery has several Congressmen, Governors, gunmen, founding fathers in this area among the many that are buried there. Our lodge has taken on the task of helping to maintain a section on our own and from what I understand another section is being maintained by us and another lodge jointly. This is the Masonic Section.

Im
very excited about this! Ive always had this thing about cemeteries and hate seeing one that is in bad repair or not well maintained. I remember my grandmother saying she hated to see flat graves. She said it was like the person buried there had been forgotten. Sadly most cemeteries today require them to be flat to keep the mowing easier.

This particular cemetery has a very special meaning to me. You see, my grandmother and my grandfather are buried here. More so, when I was a kid, I spent a lot of time at their house, a few weekends a month and at least a week or more every summer. I remember many a hot day my grandfather and I would walk down the road from their house to this cemetery to see his sister and her husband.

They were the sextons there and lived on the property. My great-uncle would always put me to work pushing a mower around, helping pick up trash, picking up tree limbs. I was always rewarded with a sandwich and a cold drink. After my grandmother and grandfather passed I always made a special point to stop by and see my Great Aunt and Uncle when I was in the area.

About the time I joined the military back in 1980 she passed away too and was buried next to my grandparents. They tore down their old house about 20 years ago. I still go by and see them as often as I can and drive by there every day on the way to and from work. Its a beautiful cemetery with a lot of history, and a very special history to me. Im very proud of the fact that our lodge is helping keep the old place up!

The lessons come from the journey... So Mote It Be!


01 April 2007

I Thought I Had It Figured Out

WOW! I started my mentoring this last week and well this may take some time! My mentor is very patient with me, but it just doesn't seem to be sinking in yet. I guess we will see this week if I remember anything.

Sadly my job is taking me away for a few days to Chicago. I might look forward to traveling again once I know I can visit lodges where I'm sent but until then its just getting in the way!

Im looking foward to next Saturday after I get home! My much better half and I have signed up for a class in making stained glass. Its something we have both been interested in, and for some reason Ive grown more interested since I decided to join the Craft!

In the mean time, Brother J. Hulin from
Pine Lodge #642 in Kountze, TX wrote this and gave me permission to post it here. I think its a wonder poem and well worth the time to read!


"Why I am a Mason"
by J. Hulin

Why are you a Mason?
The man asked me.
Why is that something
that you desire to be?

Well, I stood up straight
and looked him in the eye.
You want to know about what I am,
Mister, I'll tell you why.

Mason's are builders of men.
From good to better.
Brothers who know their work
and history to the letter.

We attend our lodge
to build a band
of friendship, brotherhood, and unity
to spread throughout this great land.

We go about our lives
with our working tools in hand.
Our honor goes before us
and by our obligations we stand.

We give great thanks
to the lessons we learn.
To pursue knowledge in the
days ahead, is what we all yearn.

We are proud to be initiated,
passed, and raised.
So we may travel the road in the east
the Masons before us have blazed.

These A certificate Brothers
whose message and lectures are clear.
They whisper to us wise council
and pass it from mouth to ear.

Though the world may think us strange
and that we are shrouded in mystery,
to our traditions we hold true
for we are rooted in our history.

We say what we mean
and mean what we say.
From the path of right conduct
and pure hearts, never will we stray.

We pursue our labors
during the course of the day.
And in our homes at night
we rest where we lay.

We meet with one another
in our aprons white.
Providing faith, hope, and charity
in our pursuit of light.

Until time catches up with us
and no longer passes by.
By the grace of God,
we attend that Grand Lodge in the sky.

And that I say is why I am a Mason
and now my words are done.
Now a question for you sir,
why arent you one?


--------------------

Until next time, remember:


The lessons come from the journey... So Mote It Be!